Searching for meaning in a meaningless - but undefeated - universe

Four and oh, baby, four and oh!

Remember the days when old George Steinbrenner would throw a fit about spring training losses, rousing his team to win some meaningless game in early March? What a load of crap. He had assembled ho-hum Yankee lineups, bloated with high-priced veterans who didn't give a shit about Grapefruit League standings. 

Last year, with several positions up for grabs, the Yankees went 24-9, compiling the best spring record in baseball. Nobody ever had to complain about spring efforts.

Of course, we still don't give a shit about the standings. Why bother? But I would argue that our current 4-0 - as drunk as this sounds - reflects the wave of young, hungry Yankees who are asserting themselves at the Major League level. 

Yesterday, as Giancarlo thrice fanned, the Evils beat Phily on the output of three players competing for the opening day roster. Miguel Andujar's homer in the ninth won it, suggesting he hasn't yet read the memo earmarking him for Scranton. With two outs, Tyler Wade singled in a run. Brandon Drury tripled. And Gary Sanchez - perhaps seeking the title of baseball's best catcher? - picked a runner off second.

 There were blips. Chance Adams walked two and gave up a run. (Interesting how unnamed scouts give him such little respect.) Ben Heller did the same, though he struck out three. 

But but but... it just doesn't matter! One of these days, a gonad will tweak, and all the collective giddy from these early wins will vanish like coconut shrimp in the clubhouse buffet. Nevertheless, we have young backups, and in the modern game, that's how you build. 

The Players Union can bloviate, but free agency, as we once knew it, is dead. I shudder to think of the 10-year, $400 million deal we might give Bryce Harper or Manny Machado next winter. They'll never be worth it. We build with Andujar slowly becoming an all-star, and with Gary Sanchez making that next step. And right now, all is fine. Undefeated in a meaningless universe. Too bad it's February.